EU appeals WTO panel report in dispute over Argentine biodiesel
May 24, 2016
BY Ron Kotrba
The European Union filed a notice of appeal May 20 with the World Trade Organization in the dispute with Argentina over antidumping measures on biodiesel, according to a WTO announcement.
In 2013, Argentina initiated proceedings at WTO against the EU, asking for the annulment of the antidumping duties.
Two months ago, a WTO panel report was published, in which, among other findings, the panel determined that the method behind the EU’s economic antidumping measures, established to correct price distortions caused by Argentina’s differential export tax system, was in violation of WTO law.
Advertisement
Advertisement
When the panel report was issued in late March, the European Biodiesel Board’s Secretary General Raffaello Garofalo said, “The European biodiesel industry will stand strong to defend its market from the harmful effects of the differential export tax mechanism, which has enabled the Argentinean biodiesel industry to export biodiesel to the EU at unfairly low prices and at times lower than the cost of biodiesel raw materials—a clear proof of dumping and unfair practice. The WTO panel’s report is not an outright victory for the Argentinean industry, as many of its claims—together with the request to withdraw the EU antidumping duties—have been rejected by the WTO panel. The EBB considers this WTO decision only as a first episode in a long, strenuous legal battle over the legitimacy of the EU defense measures. This issue has implications that go well beyond the case of biodiesel as shown by the number of countries that have supported as third parties in this proceeding. It is thus essential that the European Commission appeal the questionable parts of the report before the appellate body.”
Advertisement
Advertisement
Related Stories
In a rapidly evolving energy landscape, the 41st International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo will return June 9–11 to the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska. The event is recognized as the largest and longest-running ethanol conference in the world.
The U.S. EPA on April 11 reported that 1.82 billion RINs were generated under the RFS in March, down from 1.93 billion generated during the same month of 2024. Approximately 5.34 billion RINs were generated during the first quarter of 2025.
The U.S. EPA on April 17 published updated SRE data showing that five new SRE petitions have been filed under the RFS during the past month. According to the agency, 161 SRE petitions are currently pending,
CoBank latest quarterly research report highlights current challenges facing the biobased diesel industry. The report cites policy uncertainty and trade disruptions due to tariff disputes as factors impacting biofuel producers.
The U.S. EIA on April 15 released its Annual Energy Outlook 2025, which includes energy trend projections through 2050. The U.S. DOE, however, is cautioning that the forecasts do not reflect the Trump administration’s energy policy changes.
Upcoming Events
